evermore || sebastian sallow

Year 6: prologue - the aftermath of the battle

the aftermath of the battle

Y/n stumbled out of the Map Chamber, exhausted to her core, skin marred with cuts and bruises of varying shades, with some burns she earned from Ranrok's dragon-like transformation.

She clutched her bleeding side, her white and gold battle armour soaked, filling her nostrils with the scent of iron. But she was so emotionally numb, the physical pain felt like nothing to her.

It was a horrible battle.

At some point, she was convinced she was going to die there alone. Her magic had no effect on Ranrok, until she managed to break the swirling magics he tried to cast on her and bounced it to him.

She swayed on her feet with every step that it was a wonder she made it out at all and onto the barren hallway. She ignored the Keepers who tried to capture her attention as she tried to stumble out of there.

She hated them at that moment. Every trial they've put her through, every puzzle she solved, and everything she has accomplished felt like a waste. Have they really taught her anything?

She contained the magic, sure, but at what cost?

Her ancient magic was still weak.

She lost Professor Fig.

She couldn't save Anne.

Sebastian's probably going to hate her because she couldn't save Anne...

Y/n felt bitterness at it all. She might've saved the school, but it also cost lives and her innocence.

You are stronger than you know.

Those were Professor Fig's words to her as she struggled to contain the magic. His words were true at the time, and they were enough to give her strength. But now...

Now she wasn't so sure. It was as if containing all the consequences of Isidora's magic from centuries ago drained her altogether.

Every step she took up the spiral staircase just outside the Map Chamber flashed a memory of the battle that just occurred. Echoes of goblin threats, a kaleidoscope of wands, waving and flashing, and—

"Y/n?" called a familiar voice, interrupting her thoughts.

Y/n hadn't realized she'd already reached the top of the stairs. She looked up, surprised to find Sebastian sitting on the cold cement by the wall, near that chest she opened months back which contained 500 Galleons.

And he wasn't alone; Ominis, Poppy, and Natty were with him. They all looked as if they'd been sitting there for a week, though she was sure it has only been a few hours.

Sebastian hastily stood up and made his way over to her. She looked at him with tired eyes, meeting his familiar brown ones. She heard the others shuffle behind him too.

"Hey," said Y/n, her voice hoarse. She attempted a smile for she was relieved to see them all but failed to conjure one. There was a dam waiting to break out behind her eyes.

His eyebrows scrunched in worry as he dipped his head down, seeing the blood on her side.

"Merlin, what happened in there?" he asked while offering her a wiggenweld potion. She gladly took it and gulped it down in seconds.